Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Ministry of I&B blocks 16 YouTube news channels for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order
10 Indian and 6 Pakistan based YouTube channels blocked using emergency powers under IT Rules, 2021
YouTube channels were spreading false, unverified information to create panic, incite communal disharmony and disturb public order in India
Blocked YouTube based news channels had viewership over 68 crore
Utilizing the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, 2021, vide two separate orders on 22.04.2022, issued directions for blocking of sixteen  YouTube based news channels and one  Facebook account.
The blocked social media accounts include six Pakistan based and ten India based YouTube news channels, having a cumulative viewership of over 68 crore. It was observed that these channels were used to spread fake news over social media on matters related to national security, India’s foreign relations, communal harmony in the country, and public order. None of the digital news publishers had furnished information to the Ministry as required under rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021.
Nature of Content
The content published by some of the India based YouTube channels referred to a community as terrorists, and incited hatred among the members of various religious communities. Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony, and disturb public order.
Multiple India based YouTube channels were observed to publish unverified news and videos having the potential to create panic among various sections of the society. Examples include false claims related to announcement of a pan-India lockdown due to COVID-19 thereby threatening the migrant workers, and fabricated claims alleging threats to certain religious communities, etc. Such content was observed to be detrimental to public order in the country.
YouTube channels based in Pakistan were found to have been used in a coordinated manner to post fake news about India on various subjects such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s foreign relations in the light of situation in Ukraine, etc. The content of these channels was observed to be completely false, and sensitive from the perspective of national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, and India’s friendly relations with foreign States.
On 23rd April 2022, the Ministry had also advised private TV news channels against making false claims and using scandalous headlines. Government of India remains committed to ensure a safe and secure information environment in India across print, television and online media.
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Details of Social Media Accounts Blocked
YouTube Channels
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Sl. No
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YouTube Channel Name
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Media Statistics
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1.
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Saini Education Research
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5,870,059,700 Subscribers
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2.
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Hindi Mein Dekho
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26,047,33,53,000 Subscribers
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3.
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Technical Yogendra
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8,019,62,90,000 Subscribers
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4.
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Aaj te news
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3,249,1Subscribers: NA
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5.
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SBB News
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161,614,2Subscribers: NA
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6.
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Defence News24x7
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13,356,7Subscribers: NA
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7.
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The study time
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57,634,23,65,000 Subscribers
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8.
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Latest Update
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34,372,5Subscribers: NA
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9.
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MRF TV LIVE
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1,960,826,700 Subscribers
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10.
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Tahaffuz-E-Deen India
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109,970,27,30,000 Subscribers
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Total
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Views: 42,20,95,154
25,54,400 Subscribers
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Pakistan based YouTube channels
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11.
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AjTak Pakistan
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6,04,3Subscribers: NA
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12.
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Discover Point
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10,319,970,600 Subscribers
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13.
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Reality Checks
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2,220,5Subscribers: NA
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14.
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Kaiser Khan
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49,628,94,70,000 Subscribers
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15.
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The Voice of Asia
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32,438,3Subscribers: NA
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16.
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Bol Media Bol
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167,628,91,1,60,000 Subscribers
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Total
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Views: 26,28,41,006
Subscribers: 17,00,600
Facebook Account
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SI. No.
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Facebook Account
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No. of Followers
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-
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Tahaffuz E Deen Media Services INDIA
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23,039